See the Muthumariamman Temple in Matale
While you’re exploring the historic treasures situated within the Cultural Triangle region of Sri Lanka, be sure to schedule a stop off at the Muthumariamman Temple in Matale.
Most travellers touring the island will come across Matale as they travel between the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa toward Kandy. Matale is about fifteen miles from Kandy, close to the spice gardens we visit on our Sri Lanka Itinerary, 15 Day Group Family Tour, 8 Day Group Highlights, Luxury Tour and Honeymoon Tour of Sri Lanka.
As well as the spice gardens, the Aluvihara Rock Monastery is also located on the outskirts of the city and is well worth a visit while you’re in the area.
Visit the Munneswaram Temple near Chilaw
A collection of five individual temples, the Munneswaram Temple Complex near Chilaw is a particularly important site for Hindus in Sri Lanka and is thought to date back to as early as 1000 CE.
The largest and most prominent of the five temples is the central temple which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Kali and Ayyanayake, while the last of the five temples is for Buddhists.
The three temple loop near Kandy
In Sri Lanka’s ancient capital of Gampola sits three revered Buddhist temples – Embekke, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya.
Each legendary temple is a short distance from one another and are usually visited by intrigued travellers in succession, known as the ‘the three temple loop’.
The three temples are revered for their excellent craftsmanship and historic importance to the Gampola era of Sri Lanka and are well worth a visit when close to Kandy.
Aukana Buddha statue in Kekirawa
Aukana is the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, standing 12 metres tall. Located in the village of Aukana (close to Kekirawa), central Sri Lanka, the imposing statue dates back to the 5th century and is one of the best and most well preserved statues on the island.
Now a magnet for tourist to Sri Lanka, the forty foot statue is carved out of an imposing slab of granite rock and is an example of Abhayamudra, or a “gesture of fearlessness”, with the right arm bent and raised to shoulder height, palm exposed. This gesture represents peace, protection and the dispelling of fear.
Carved into the granite rock face, the statue is widely considered the best example of a Buddha statue on the island and was skilfully carved. The robe was delicately carved and beautifully conveys the realistic form and shape of the underlying body. The face is placid in expression, projecting and reinforcing the fearlessness the statue represents.
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